Page 2 of For Ever More

“We’re home,” Dian breathes as she climbs the stairs, followed by Ruilin and me.

My throat goes dry as I recall the stories of this place, those evoking both wonder and dread. “The island looks larger than I thought. Almost as large as the Iron Mountains.”

Dian scowls as though the comparison is an insult. “The Iron Mountains is a shadow to our home—a hovel. While our grounds aren’t as sprawling, they are far more beautiful, as are our buildings.”

The gate swings open, a troop of guards coming out. Their armor of gold and silver is carved with twin dragons on the breastplate, their blades lacking the sharp white glitter of the Iron Mountains. A soldier walks ahead, a gray cloak draped across his shoulders, his brown hair pulled into a topknot.

His stern expression breaks into a smile at the sight of my sister. “Welcome home, Dian.”

She grins in return, tapping the clasp of his cloak. “I did not expect you to be here, Shenming. Wearing the captain’s attire too. You are swiftly rising in the ranks.”

A flush darkens his neck at her praise. “The Elders have been kind to me.”

“How did you know I was here?” she asks.

“Our scouts sighted you. I’ve already sent word to your father.” He adds after a pause, “It’s good to have you back.”

As his black eyes shift to Ruilin and me, Dian moves between us. “They are with me—”

“Dian,” another calls out in a low rasp.

A stout man hurries forward, his brocade robe falling to his ankles, the leather belt around his waist studded with precious stones. A silver, flower-shaped ornament hangs from it. His black hair is graying, a mole protruding from his chin, and the eyes he turns toward my sister are as green as hers.

My heart thuds as the man comes toward us, walking past me to take Dian’s arm. “Daughter,” our father says as he smiles at her. “At last, you’re home.”

CHAPTER TWO

WHEN I IMAGINED COMING HOME, I DREAMED OF MY father uttering such words of welcome to me. He speaks them now—to my sister. I search him for a flicker of recognition, a fragment of memory.

Nothing.

My father is a stranger. My eyes sting, my fingers curl. Yet when I met Dian I didn’t know her either; I’d feared her, the witch. And now, she isn’t just my sister by blood, she is family in every way that matters.

A small crowd has gathered around us. The men wear long robes, the women in ankle-length dresses, some with slits along the side that reveal the pants beneath. Most have tied their hair high, others leaving it loose over their shoulders, a few keep it short as my sister does. They cluster around Dian, greeting her warmly, some glancing at Ruilin and me with curiosity.

Ruilin moves behind me as I pull my cloak tighter over my accursed wedding garments. We’re both reluctant to interrupt Dian’s reunion, feeling out of place.

My father doesn’t notice anyone but my sister, clasping her in a hug. “Where have you been, Dian? You were expected to return months ago. I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m sorry, Father.” She speaks softly, sounding younger. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

He releases her, patting her head as though she’s a child. “I’m just glad you’re back. When I received Shenming’s message, the Elders graciously allowed me to leave the council meeting. You must return with me to pay your respects.”

My father’s gaze slides to me then, anticipation knotting in my gut. Does he see anything to remind him of my mother—of him? Yet he’s already looking away at Ruilin, then back to my sister. “Who are your friends, Dian?”

I shake my head at her, glancing at the crowd. Not now.

“It’s a long story, Father,” she says. “They are my trusted companions. We escaped from the Iron Mountains together—”

“The Iron Mountains?” He’s gone pale. “You swore you would stay away from there. Did you forget what they did to your mother?”

“I will never forget.”

Pain shadows their eyes—my chest taut with emotion. Father misses our mother still, he grieves for her. It makes me feel a little closer to him, even if he knows nothing of it.

“At least you’re safe,” he tells Dian. “Don’t leave home again. I had more gray hair sprout in your absence.”

She squeezes his hand. “Then worry less, Father.”